Title: Factors of the problems and strategies for overcoming them in Ukraine-Romania relations
1Factors of the problems and strategies for
overcoming them in Ukraine-Romania relations
Romanian view
- Mirela Ciucur
- Resurse Association
- December 2nd, 2011
2Romanias geo-strategic location
- The Black Sea region has been for centuries a
geo-political strategic location that continues
to attract opportunities for neighborhood
cooperation in terms of economic exchange, energy
and environmental policies and cross border
possibilities. - In fostering new ways of strategic development
and supporting economic, social and political
reform for the regional member states, Romania
plays an important role as it not only represents
the countrys best interests but those of the
European Union, in its efforts to support
aspiring members in the course of accession. - The new role implies equally benefits and
responsibilities at various levels on one hand,
Romania became a donor in the actions for
development and is gradually becoming an active
supporter of developing states, and on the other
hand is enrolled in monitoring actions towards
successful integration policies, European
identity and circular migration.
3The Black Sea Region Relevance
- In the context of cross border cooperation around
the Black Sea region, state partnerships based on
historical background, cultural and traditional
diversity and mutual governmental interests are
likely to develop, as the case of Romania and
Ukraine. - One of the biggest challenges in forming a
European community strongly united has been
particularly the variety of cultures and economic
dynamic of its member countries. It may also
become its biggest strength, as on a long term,
diversity generates progress. - When we look at the immediate proximity of EU and
its prospect for future expansion, the Black Sea
region, formed by most divers nations in terms of
cultural and historical background, economic and
social status and even religion and society
values may pose a real challenge but also a
strategic opportunity, as The Black Sea not only
that has a regional significance but also a
global one.
4A coherent strategy for the region
- This status-quo of public affairs may be a
regressing factor in running a real democratic
process in the member countries and developing
diplomatic and economic relations outside their
borders. - A number of consequences are therefore generated
- insufficient ground for promoting the democratic
values supported by an adequate law systems - low level of public society empowerment and
awareness regarding its capacity and rights to
play an active participation in the states
decision making process and represent their
interest overseas - the absence of economic and trade cross-border
development in the region - a weak presence of private sector initiative, as
typically a healthy business environment
accelerates economic development and positive
governance towards international cooperation
5A coherent strategy for the region
- A coherent strategy for the region in preserving
the stability and security and promoting the
development of democratic states is needed. - While maintaining the national integrity, it
could bring a solid ground for reinforcing the
core values of European adherence and for
rebalancing the poles of power in the world.
6The role of youth
- The role of youth is not sufficiently emphasized
in bringing a new vision of leadership and public
advocacy. As well as the potential of cooperation
between business environment and think tanks in
identifying the right ways towards
democratization and private sector development
and creating alliances for public society
participation and an open economy.
7Cross-border reconciliation and conflict
resolution
- In the process of building the capacity to
resolve cross-border issues and reestablish
trust, external actors can play a positive
influence, thus they are not able to impose
solutions. A set of measures is needed to improve
internal political environment, establish public
advocacy alliances and raise the debate on
relevant issues, involving - Strategies -
Participants - Actions - ME, build ownership of
the process within the society. - In attempting to overcome barriers and generate
solutions, regional cooperation has a crucial
role in support of the local efforts for
reconciliation, conflict transformation
intelligence and gaining a broader perspective,
recognizing the capacity of media and business
actors to positively influence mutual
understanding and long-term commitment.
8 The main areas where the two states could
act jointly to bring positive change
- The extent of affairs between Romania and Ukraine
and perspectives for developing them further,
with a greater impact in the Black Sea Region. - creating ways for fostering economic cooperation,
sustainable development and innovative business
solutions - encouraging youth to move and act freely across
borders in pursuit of better education and
professional opportunities and the possibility of
transferring valid leadership for the future - cross-border reconciliation and conflict
prevention bridging communities - empowerment of civil society in securing the
values of democratization and good governance - improved environmental policies aimed at
preventing irresponsible actions and promoting
eco-friendly industries in the region - increased cooperation at the level of think thank
and business environment influencing future
opportunities for progress - supporting social initiatives for a better
integration process and cross-cultural exchange
9 Priorities for Cooperation and Partnership
from the Perspective of Bucharest
- Clarifying territorial disputes
- Romania was sure to adopt a non-aggressive
foreign policy, as becoming a member of NATO and
the EU, in relation to Ukraine. Thus combating
illicit trade and trafficking across the border
is one of the measures needed to be taken so to
improve economic ties between the two countries
and foster cross-border initiatives that may be
related to environment, civil society and
democracy. - Along some current initiatives towards
peacebuilding regional cooperation are the launch
of Black Sea Peacebuilding Network (BSPN) holding
its regional meeting in Kiev and the Black Sea
Peacebuilding Platform, raising the discussion to
higher level and in broader society. Engagement
in the region to provide support and expertise on
peacebuilding and conflict transformation by
PATRIR, Romania or Crisis Management Initiative
from Finland are also very welcome initiatives.
10 Priorities for Cooperation and Partnership
from the Perspective of Bucharest
- Combating Illicit Trafficking
- In order to best represent the position of
Romania as an EU member, in relation to Ukraine
both Romania and Ukraine representatives
expressed their willingness to intensify
negotiations about the agreement on small border
traffic and relaunched the work of the
intergovernmental commission monitoring the
situation of the Romanian and Ukrainian
minorities in both countries. These negotiations
can be regarded as the resumption of political
dialogue about the most delicate issues
combating illicit trade and trafficking across
the border.
11 Priorities for Cooperation and Partnership
from the Perspective of Bucharest
- Combating Illicit Trafficking
- The constant problem in bilateral relations is
the question of the location of the Ukrainian
minority of 60,000 people in Romania and the
population of 150,000 Romanians in Ukraine. As
until 2009 both countries were locked in the
territorial dispute which was eventually settled
in favor of Romania (the trial over the status of
Snake Island), Romanian-Ukrainian relations are
still being complicated by contentions relating
to navigation on the Danube and security issues.
Due to these unresolved divergences, it may be
difficult to expect immediate effects in the
process of reviving Ukrainian-Romanian relations,
thus common work groups regarding the visa
situation have been initiated and positive
solutions are on their way.
12 Energy cooperation Climate and Environment
- As important as it is for its geo-strategic
position from perspective of EU and NATO and
their interests to secure cooperation among their
members, the the future of bilateral relations
between Romania and Ukraine in the context of the
Black Sea Region is equally relevant for economic
reasons, primarily energy and trade. - Joint actions and projects at regional level
should be concentrated around key problems like
sustainable energy, organic agriculture,
awareness raising and environmental education and
a cooperation plan in the field of environmental
policies. - Initiatives for environment policies and
construction of a tourism infrastructure and
common actions on fisheries policy and protection
of endangered species of dolphins in the Black
Sea are also important aspects to consider in the
development process of the new coastal
territories.
13 Energy cooperation Climate and Environment
- One of the most sensitive issues concerning the
relations between Romanian and Ukraine, is the
maritime border delimitation and the division of
the shelf, which, according to the UN
International Court of Justice it could not be
considered as the outermost point of Ukrainian
territory. As a consequence of the court rule,
the most part (80) of the disputed area was
granted to Romanian, including a major portion
(almost 70) of the shelfs substantial oil and
gas reserves. Resolving the issue was of crucial
importance for delimiting the line separating the
two countries exclusive economic zones on the
continental shelf, which is estimated to hold up
to 100 m3 billion of gas and up to 10 mil. tones
of oil. - As the court interpretation doesnt consider the
Snake Island as to be taken into account in the
delimitation of exclusive economic zones, oil and
gas extraction will require cooperation between
both countries.
14 Energy cooperation Climate and Environment
- On May, 2011, both Ukrainian and Romanian
diplomacies initiated intentions to improve the
relations between the two countries in
strengthening economic, transport and energy
co-operation. - Energy cooperation and knowledge exchange are
also needed in the area of construction of
hydroelectric, nuclear, coal mining and in the
European pollution standards and participation in
the construction of transit routes for
hydrocarbons in the South Caucasus and Central
Asia, perhaps including Russia. Furthermore,
interconnecting energy projects from Romania in
the EU energy program, will likely set the ground
for encouraging the business sector development
in the region.
15 A responsible operational plan of the area
- The major environmental and energy challenges of
the two neighbor countries also in the context of
global problems like climate change, energy,
food, environmental contamination will most
likely be addressed involving the presence of the
civil society as a driving force for
modernization, democratization and economic
reforms that allow for a mutual transfer of
expertise, good practices and effective solutions
from one country to the other. - Successful models of sea neighborhood states
dealing with aspects of historical and
geo-political nature, like the Baltic Sea region
or Mediterranean region are a valid proof that a
sustainable and coherent environment and energy
policy could only be achieved through regional
cooperation. - There is a growing interest for regional
cooperation between Romania and Ukraine and
initiatives aimed at creation of a common entity
to exploit the agriculture, tourism and energy
potential and benefit from commercial exchanges
while maintaining a steady interest for
preservation and protection of the Danube Delta
ecosystem may represent the logical step for the
two states in the future.
16 Strategic cooperation
- After Romanias accession to the European Union,
cooperation with the countries around the Black
Sea region became even more important on the
communitarian agenda. Several European
initiatives have been implemented, with the
intention of reinforcing the regional
cooperation. - Hence, The Black Sea Synergy is a European
initiative for regional cooperation launched in
2008. The EU efforts through the Black Sea
Synergy are complementary with other EU efforts
and policies in this region (both bilateral and
multilateral) the European Neighborhood Policy,
the European Eastern Partnership, the cross
border cooperation. - Source http//www.fondromania.org
17 Strategic cooperation
- Priorities in the European context
- Regional cooperation programs between Ukraine and
Romania and transfer of knowledge in order to
bring Ukraine closer to European values while
Ukraine is expected to support the pro-European
direction that Romania has been following as a
member of the Eastern periphery of the EU - The involvement of Romania and Ukraine as
regional actors active in the negotiations on the
conflict in Transnistria, where apparently
Romanian-Ukrainian relations are still being at
strain as both countries are also divided over
the approach to resolving the local conflict
where Kyiv holds a more conciliatory position on
the prospect of maintaining the region's autonomy
within the state of Moldova - Economic and military cooperation in the region,
particularly related to intention to install
American anti-missile shield in Romania, in which
case Ukraine hinted that would demand
consultations in this matter with Romania and the
US - Exchanges of good practices (in the institutional
reform area, democracy and human rights)
18 Recent initiatives and good practices
towards unity in the region
- Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme
launched in 2009, with a total initial budget of
EUR5 mil. www.blacksea-cbc.net - The International Black Sea Action Day - 31
October - On April 21st 1992, Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania,
the Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine signed
the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea
Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) ratified
in 1994. - Black Sea Strategic Action Plan, was adopted by
its member states on October 31st 1996, date that
became the "International Black Sea Action Day"
with the scope of raising public awareness of the
regional cooperation initiated in protecting the
Black Sea.
19 Recent initiatives and good practices
towards unity in the region
- The Eastern European Youth Cooperation (EEYC)
- The initiative started in 2002, when the National
Youth Councils (NYC) from Moldova, Ukraine and
Belarus decided to adopt a closer cooperation. An
official cooperation agreement was signed between
the NYCs of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,
Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. - The EEYC successfully run over 30 common
activities in the countries covered by its
membership, involving over 450 active young
people from the region and more than 100 youth
organizations. Its main focus is orientated
toward activities supporting its member
organizations, primarily youth organizations,
members of the NYC of their country including
educational programs, seminars and conferences,
knowledge exchange and mutual project
initiatives. - Above all, the EECY network, the most extensive
youth organization in the Black Sea area aims at
supporting the youth policy in the region, by
introducing its members into the main EU and UN
forums and organizations and advocating for the
important problems of youth in Easter Europe on
the European and international agenda. - Source Alexandru Coica - National Youth Council,
Republic of Moldova
20 Recent initiatives and good practices
towards unity in the region
- Giving the diversity of cultural and historical
background of the countries in the region, the
Black Sea continues to offer a real junction
point for communication and exchange. In the case
of Romania and Ukraine, further cooperation
between local communities regarding the
minorities is needed in order to facilitate the
access to cultural/educational programs for
preservation and reconstruction of the Romanian
speaking minorities in Ukraine and vice versa. - While national identity is becoming increasingly
important working to find a common ground in
terms of political views, socio-economic and
cultural values in the region may be challenging,
thus developing a coherent strategy may be the
key for future progress. Preserving the stability
and security is of crucial importance but
democracy and citizen participation are also
elements of sustainability and further
development in the region. - Iulian Fota - Presidential counselor for national
security (Romania)
21 Intercultural cross-changes
- Reevaluating the role of civil society in acting
as a liaison between the two countries
governments is therefore needed in bringing a
positive social change in the region. - Initiatives such as the Eastern Partnership
Cultural Programme are only early steps in
creating cultural and educational exchanges
between the two states for a better understanding
and cooperation in the sphere of civil society.
22 Common environmental projects
- Preparations for development of the European
Unions strategy for the Danube region were
officially inaugurated on February 2nd, 2010. The
initiative, in which eight EU member states and
six neighbors are engaged, will focus on
reinforcing regional cooperation in areas related
to development of transport infrastructure,
protection of the natural environment and
economic development. The Strategy was proposed
to be approved in the first half of 2011 and its
implementation was meant to become one of the key
issues on the agenda during the Hungarian
presidency of the EU.?
23 Common environmental projects
- The countries situated along the Danube have
enrolled in this initiative, which is part of the
European Unions regional policy. In addition to
EU member states (Germany, Austria, Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania
and Bulgaria), an interest to participate has
been declared by the Balkan states, Ukraine, and
Moldova. The European Commission has been
coordinating the work on the Danube Strategy on
the basis of the resolution adopted on January
21st, 2010 by the European Parliament. - The strategy provides the ground for an
intensification of regional co-operation. Its
main goals include an improvement of the
transport infrastructure (including on rivers),
protection of the natural environment, promoting
renewable energy sources as well as economic and
social development. The Strategy has been funded
through funds already available to member states
as part of EU funds, including the cohesion and
regional development funds.
24 Common environmental projects
- A vital element of the strategy is represented
its external dimension, namely co-operation with
Western Balkan countries, which do not belong to
the EU. The funds assigned to become available as
part of the strategy, are expected to accelerate
and facilitate the process. - Further programs focusing on tourism, improving
the water quality in the Black Sea and common
environmental policies with a strong research
component, have been developed among the member
states in the region, in addition to the
strategy.
25 Position with the European Union as the
good neighbor attitude
- In the context of European Unions policy towards
its Eastern neighbors and the objective of
external integration, the local rather than the
global potential and position of the European
Union imposes a new challenge can EU continue
the process of making Europe wider? Which also
trigger a new dimension for regional and
bilateral partnerships among the members and
non-members of the Union.
26 Position with the European Union as the
good neighbor attitude
- Inside the EU, Romania has publicly and
consistently supported Ukraines pro-European
aspirations. Yet when it comes to mention
Ukraines strategic partners in the case of
Romania some hesitation needs to be overcome,
much of this being related to the states
sovereignty issues in the past. - The statements of various Romanian officials,
related to denunciations of the 1939
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 2010, were viewed in
Ukraine as a reiteration of the territorial
revisionism highlighted by Romanian nationalists
in the early 1990s. Thus unfortunate effects of
this kind can and should be avoided through
increased reassurance, communication and concern
for one anothers sensitivities.
27 Position with the European Union as the
good neighbor attitude
- Among a general range of strategic opportunities,
commercial exchanges between the two countries
continue to be severely underdeveloped. After a
dramatic fall in trade volumes, from about 2
billion in 2008 to half of that figure in 2009,
the trend in 2010 and 2011 has shown a steep
rise. Nonetheless, the absolute figures are
dispiritingly low, as is the size of cross-border
direct investment. - Almost two decades after the collapse of the
socialist bloc, the two neighboring states are
still largely ignorant about and suspicious of
one another. There is an absolute need to build
mutual confidence and knowledge through
substantially increased commercial, human, and
cultural exchanges. Virtually the only direction
to go from here is up, a prospect well worth
engaging. - Source Center for European Policy Analysis
28 Position with the European Union as the
good neighbor attitude
- The European Union is also engaged in supporting
this prerequisite by programmes aiming to improve
the economic, social and environmental situation
in the region, in the context of safe and secure
borders, through increased cooperation on both
sides of the borders. - The main areas of intervention
- 1. Initiatives towards a more competitive border
economy, concentrating on improving the economic
performance of the border area through the
diversification and modernisation, in a
sustainable manner, of the border economy - 2. Environmental challenges and emergency
preparedness supporting long term solutions to
the environmental problems faced by the border
areas, particularly those associated with
environmental emergencies where a joint approach
is essential - 3. People to people co-operation promoting
greater interaction between people and
communities living in the border areas.